Guns International #: 101706054
Seller's Inventory #: 210837

Category - Civil War Rifles - Antique Rifles - Percussion

Category
Civil War Rifles
Antique Rifles - Percussion

New Jersey CIVIL WAR Antique SPRINGFIELD ARMORY Model 1861 Rifle .58 Caliber 1861 Dated Primary Infantry Weapon of the Union Army

Description:
New Jersey CIVIL WAR Antique SPRINGFIELD ARMORY Model 1861 Rifle .58 Caliber


1861 Dated Primary Infantry Weapon of the Union Army

Here we present an antique U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1861 Civil War Rifle-Musket, made circa 1861 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Model 1861 was the primary musket at the start of the American Civil War. The musket was designed to fire the .58 caliber minie ball. The M1861 is representative of the “everyman’s” rifle during the war. About 1.5 million rifle-muskets were made in the U.S., over 800,000 of which were made by the Springfield Armory.

This was the last hurrah of the rifle-musket as arms development and tactics rapidly advanced during the short period of the American Civil War. Nevertheless, the 1861 represented new technology as it was made for use with the Minié ball, a hollow based, conical projectile that was small enough to quickly push down the muzzle of a rifled barrel and expanded to create a good gas seal unlike a solid, round ball. Almost immediately after the war, the US military switched from the old muzzle loading type weapons to the newer breech loading rifles, bringing an end to the musket as a standard frontline firearm in American history.

This rifle-musket would have originally been made with a 40-inch long barrel. It was shortened at some point and the muzzle turned down to create the “step” as you see about 5 inches back from the muzzle. A new front sight was added. This was almost certainly done after it was sold as surplus after the war. With renewed interest in moving West after the war, these retired muskets were again put to use protecting and providing for settlers.

The overall condition is very good. Excellent action. Very good bore with nice rifling. Solid walnut stock throughout. “1861” dated lock and “1863” dated barrel. “US’ is stamped on the lock and butt plate tang. “N.J.” is marked on the left barrel flat. Two legible cartouches on the left wrist.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 32 inches.

Caliber: .58 Percussion

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$1485

#210837
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes